When you teach science, you soon learn one of the most useful tools in your classroom is the microscope. More “ah, ha” moments have occurred when I implemented the use of microscopes than with any other teaching tool at my disposal. With the impact of COVID-19, we as teachers, now more than ever, need to capture our student’s interest and boost achievement in any way we can.
One of the challenges of teaching in a small rural school with limited funding is keeping technology and equipment up to date for student use. When I began searching for grants to fund the purchase of better microscopes, I discovered there are not a lot of grants out there which fit my criteria. Most are very specific and my classroom needs just do not fit within the guidelines. But then I discovered The Association of American Educators October grant opportunity of $500.
With the $500 grant awarded by AAE, the Oregon-Howell R-III School District was able to purchase (5)- SWIFT Compound Monocular Microscopes SW200DL with 40X-1000X Magnification, Dual Light, Precision Fine Focus, Wide-Field 25X Eyepiece and Cordless Capability. I especially like the cordless feature because students can use them wherever they may be, even if we go outside and look at “live” samples.
My Biology students are studying cell reproduction right now. Comparing onion root tips and human tissue samples is much better with the clarity of updated microscopes. The use of this grant has made our Biology curriculum much richer. Students are always excited about the labs we do and classroom participation of all learners is better facilitated. Thank you American Association of Educators for making grants like this available.